Chronicles of Juicing/Smoothies - Reloaded

Posted Wednesday, October 24, 2012, at 7:25 AM

I was starting to think the original post on my juicing/smoothie efforts was going stale, no one was responding, so I was going to move on, but after several personal e-mails asking me to continue, I decided to start a new post to liven it up. Here is the link to the old post www.t-g.com/blogs/stevemills/entry/49811...

In my last post I mentioned adding veggies to fruit rather than making a veggie smoothie. It was more palatable to me that way.

I have added spinach, carrots, beets, broccoli and thought I would try nappa cabbage. I've ruled out the nappa unless I do a true veggie smoothie. It added a flavor I did not like to the fruit.

To remind everyone, I am doing smoothies rather than juicing. The biggest difference is that I am consuming the items I put in there in their entirety, not removing the pulp. Just my preference. :-)

I do a lot of fruit and that seems to raise the question about having too much sugar. Does anyone have any factual information on whether or not that raises blood sugars unfavorably?

I don't think it does. While not having been been diagnosed diabetic, I think I have had hypoglycemic events after eating a high sugar item like donuts or waffles with syrup and not adding protein.

When drinking smoothies only, I do not have the "bounce back" hypoglycemic event, so I am concluding that the smoothie does not give me a high dosage of sugar like the donuts did.

By the way, the "hypoglycemic event" to which I am referring is when I rapidly get cold sweats, weakness and feel like I have to eat something to keep from passing out. What happens is I usually end up eating something high in sugar (M&M peanuts my favorite) to counteract the weakness.

On a side note, I got an e-mail from a friend who has just ordered a machine to make smoothies and she is looking forward to getting started. That is one reason she did not want me to stop these posts. I hope she will contribute to the discussion, ask questions etc.

My weight loss has started again and Monday I broke into a new weight class that I have not been in for many, many years. Maybe 20 years and boy, was I pumped!

I don't know if it was the extra running from parking cars at the Webb fair, the heat of Sunday or what, but I am excited to finally hit 228. I have been as high as 244 and while I did not gain weight fast, I never seemed to lose it.

Now I am doing it and not feeling like I am deprived. In fact two nights ago I cheated and ate a full meal, except bread, and I ended up having a very restless night.

I now will avoid that type of behavior out of choice, not because I am trying to diet, but because I really don't care to eat that much anymore.

I can go into some of the most appetizing stores, with fantastic smells coming from the food products and be nonchalant about it.

Yeah, I remember the good food, but I don't have a craving for it. I might taste it, but I have no compulsion to buy a serving or load up on shopping cart with anything but raw fruit and veggies.

By the way, almost all of the food I have been consuming over the past 6-8 weeks has been raw. Nutritionists all admit that a lot of benefits are lost in cooking.

-- Posted by stevemills on Wed, Oct 24, 2012, at 7:27 AM

Here is a list of some foods and the glycemic index number. While certain fruits have a lot of sugar, a lot of other foods like breads and pastas have a higher index.

I've read of people getting diabetic from too much fruit consumption, but I don't have any real evidence that is true.

-- Posted by benjithegreat98 on Wed, Oct 24, 2012, at 10:49 AM

Thanks for the link.

I found it interesting that carrots almost tripled when boiled compared to raw.

Most things I eat are on the low side except for pineapple and bananas.

-- Posted by stevemills on Wed, Oct 24, 2012, at 8:28 PM

As I was making my smoothie this morning I realized that I only used my "cookbooks" for the first day or so and after that I just threw things that I thought would taste good.

However, making it look good helps when you continue to sip on it for an hour or two. Blueberries are a super coloring agent that gives you shades of purple and all the antioxidant, etc. for which they are famous.

As expensive as they are in the stores, it is lucky that I do not need to use more than a handful to get a nice color. Strawberries do a nice job too as long as you don't have any other strong colors in there.

Critical? No, but most cooks know that presentation can make a big difference. Especially if you are trying to sell the idea to others. In that case, make sure it is tasty and pretty.

Spinach makes a nice green drink and garnishing it with a slice of strawberry, mint or some other "pretty" item can make a difference.

Hmmm, look at me! I am trying to be a chef of smoothies. Not what I had in mind when I started this post, but....

Today's concoction is made from grapes, pink grapefruit, a little honey to offset the grapefruit, spinach, frozen strawberries, pineapple and bananas. I should probably throw in a celery stick or carrot but my container is 2/3 full now and I need room for the ice.

I am making enough to last me until about 4:00 PM. I have some bicycler's water bottles I use so I keep one fresh on the fridge while sipping on the other.

If I am going to be away from home, I pack them in an ice chest and I don't put any yogurt or other products that might spoil easily. The cooler seems to do well, but why tempt "Murphy".

My apologies to anyone named Murphy. I am not picking on you, just used to quoting "Murphy's Law". Any one know why that saying came about?

One last thought for today. While starting this program and even now, I find it helpful to always have a container to sip on. It seems to keep the hunger away and allows me to resist temptations.

Honestly though, at this point I really don't feel much temptation.

-- Posted by stevemills on Fri, Oct 26, 2012, at 6:49 AM

Speaking of not having the temptation, I am also not ravenously hunger in the morning. I sometimes have to remind myself to make a blend so I don't end up "suddenly" hungry.

When you first start, you may have a tendency to load up on your ingredients. I did, and had to eat, eat, eat or should I say sip to keep it from spoiling.

Does anyone know if over-ripe or bruised fruit is still healthy or should it be disposed?

You might also think your food bill is going to go out of sight, but buying a bag of oranges or apples actually goes a long way. Apples seem to be good to put in many things since it does not have a strong taste to influence what you are trying to accomplish.

I also buy some fruit that is ready to eat and some that needs a few days ripening so it "grows" into my menu. Veggies are already ripe (hopefully) so the reverse is true with them, but they tend to last longer.

Speaking of apple juice, I was HIGHLY surprised and disappointed yesterday when I bought a package of raw nuts and dried fruit. Why? Because I thought I was getting just what it said on the package raw nuts and dried fruit but when I read the ingredients on the back it had sugar and apple juice.

How did they get apple juice in a bag of dried fruit and nuts? Where was the sugar? It actually came before some of the nuts in the listing, so there was more sugar percentage wise that nuts!

Was it used as a preservative, or added for sweetness? Anyone know?

-- Posted by stevemills on Sat, Oct 27, 2012, at 9:07 AM

I did it again this morning. I planned on making a small batch of smoothie, but after adding an apple, grapes, orange, strawberries, banana, half of a pomegranate, quarter of a lemon, two handfuls of blueberries, water and some ice, I was full again.

Did you notice that the veggies are missing? But I did not have room! Sounds like an excuse I used as a child, but in reality, I just forgot.

If any of you are considering using agave nectar as a sweetener, DON'T overdo it. This stuff is sooo sweet it is overpowering. A friend gave us a bottle and it will go a long way. Here is a link yo learn about it. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agave_necta...

I have not checked my weight in two days, but I plan to cut some firewood today so hopefully I will be rewarded with a good report after clean-up time. I have to do more consistent exercise. If I keep saying that enough times, MAYBE I will start doing it!

-- Posted by stevemills on Sun, Oct 28, 2012, at 6:42 AM

A shout out to my friend who should have her smoothie machine by now. Have you got it fired up yet?

-- Posted by stevemills on Sun, Oct 28, 2012, at 6:43 AM

I guess my friend has not started yet. Hopefully I will see her tonight and get the "juices" going.

Yesterday I made a smoothie using raw beets. I've done it before but once again I got overly exuberant while adding ingredients and I sipped on that thing all day AND night. Think I've had my fill of beet smoothie for a while.

-- Posted by stevemills on Fri, Nov 2, 2012, at 7:33 AM

This morning my smoothie consisted of one banana, small handful walnuts, 1/3 bar tofu, one apple, 1/4 pineapple, one orange, 1/4 lemon, small handful of blueberries and a few chunks of cooked beet.

While the beet and blueberries have great nutritional value, I have to admit that they were added for visual appeal. I am trying to get Debbi to try more smoothies and appearance can make a difference.

Her mother will drink a half cup of most everything I fix but Debbi is more difficult to please. She is used to cokes, sweet tea and other things sweet so adding tart things has its drawbacks.

Strawberries, bananas, blueberries and maybe tofu, with agave sweetener is probably the best I can do right now.

-- Posted by stevemills on Sun, Nov 4, 2012, at 8:01 AM

Steve,I reeived my Health Master and so far so good. Mine have been with the fruit so far. I was wondering if anyone had a recipe for V8 juice?

-- Posted by katydid on Sun, Nov 4, 2012, at 9:35 PM

GO Katydid!

You are probably right not asking me for a recipe, since I have not followed one since the first day BUT, here is one from my cookbook.

Place these in the order listed (why I am not sure but...)

1 1/2 medium tomatoes (1 cup)

1/2 cup fresh spinach

1/2 medium carrot

1 tablespoon diced onion

1 sprig parsley

1/2 small sweet red pepper (or green)

1/8 teaspoon hot sauce

1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire(thank goodness for spell checkers)

dash of salt (Wonder if that is a pinch)

1 cup ice

Of course, all of the ingredients are optional or you could try adding something else, even the ice to turn it into a soup. If you leave out the ice, I would add at least a half cup of water.

In fact, I start all my smoothies with water, but maybe the tomatoes add enough on this one.

The thing I learned about soups is I like some texture, so I add a little cook vegetables at the end and often heat the soup in the microwave, even thought the blender will eventually make it hot.

-- Posted by stevemills on Mon, Nov 5, 2012, at 8:09 AM

Monday I got a great "shot-in-the-arm" from being able to step back into some shirts that had been relegated to the "do not wear" area of my closet. They no longer fit.

That got me thinking about some other benefits to this smoothie program I am enjoying. That's right, enjoying. I actually enjoy my "diet" because it does not seem like a diet.

Instead it is a lifestyle change and one that I appreciate more each day. I don't know when or if I will ever stop appreciating it, but for now, I'm good.

Besides consumption of healthier food, I am 1.losing weight

2.feeling better physically

3.gaining an extra hour each day

4.saving from not having to buy new clothes

5.saving by cutting food budget by at least half

6.feeling better emotionally for my efforts

Are you wondering how I am getting an extra hour? It is from not having to stop for lunch, unless I am having a business lunch or taking time out for family.

I can continue working, working on personal items or continue driving while sipping my smoothie. I do not have to stop to sit down with a plate, or wait for service at a restaurant. That may seem a weird way of looking at it, but available time in each day is a very important for me.

-- Posted by stevemills on Wed, Nov 7, 2012, at 12:28 PM

I have also noticed a change in my taste-buds. Food that used to taste great to me are just so,so now. I can do without them.

Last night I sat down at a large buffet and right next to the dessert bar. I really was not interested. I saw plates upon plates of sweet stuff passing me, but I had no cravings.

I ate some meats and vegetables and the meats did not have great appeal. I just ate them because I felt that I should eat more protein. OK, I ate it, now for the salad!

Now for the salad bar! My dessert is now salad? Very interesting as Arte Johnson used to say on Laugh-In.

Just in case we have a few young readers here, that was a TV comedy show in the late 60's and early 70's. (Last century)

-- Posted by stevemills on Wed, Nov 7, 2012, at 12:36 PM

My weight loss has leveled off again, so I am going to start eliminating some of the high glycemic things. Someone mentioned them in my previous post but I could not find it again.

On a side note, DMCG you asked some questions in that previous post to which I never responded. My apologies. I was writing many of those from "the road" and I must have added without reading.

You said something about "always going" and I have not had the issue except for peeing a lot. There have been a few ties that I was REALLY looking for an exit or rest stop while driving.

Getting back to the high glycemic fruits, my first elimination will be pineapple. My two other favorites are bananas and grapes. I guess I will go with bananas next and grapes last. We'll see.

-- Posted by stevemills on Sat, Nov 10, 2012, at 8:21 AM

Well, only pineapple has been eliminated and no sooner than I do that and I read about the special ingredient in pineapple core that helps fight joint pain. Yeesh! One day it is great, the next day it is a villain,

I usually add some type of nuts to my smoothie, but I am starting to enjoy just eating them straight more than in the drink. If I need the flavor in the drink, I just add an extract.

I am also starting to think more about the seeds and core area of the fruits, so I started research the edibility of different ones. I never thought about doing anything more with an avocado seed than growing a decorative plant but now I may try this recipe.

"Ground avocado pits are an excellent source of soluble fiber (even better than oatmeal!). They should only be ground in a high-powered blender with plenty of liquid.

Mix them with fresh fruit to mask the somewhat bitter taste, or add them to smoothies.

Steve Mills and his wife have one daughter. They previously owned two coffee/ice cream shops, currently operate an internet sales company and teach classes, but his primary job involves the paper industry worldwide. Hobbies and interests lie in gardening, photography, recorded music and of course, their pets.